The Wiggles Appointed Members In The Order Of Australia

Four original members of The Wiggles - Murray Cook, Jeffrey Fatt, Anthony Field and Gregory Page - have been appointed Members in the Order of Australia.

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field says he is surprised and humbled by the award.

"When I saw the letter with the coat of arms I thought it was jury duty and then I thought it was a seniors card in the mail," he joked.

"And then when it was Order of Australia I was really floored by it, because it was very humbling."

The Wiggles were honoured for service to the arts, particularly children's entertainment, and to the community as benefactors and supporters of a range of charities.

Each member of the group has been a patron of the Australian Children's Music Foundation since 2005 and they have supported charities including the Starlight Children's Foundation, St Vincent de Paul, SIDS and Kids, Variety Australia and the Bonnie Babes Foundation.

"We've always cared for our audience, which is children, and we've taken a lot of time to help with their education and their entertainment," Field said.

"Over the years we've visited as many hospitals as we can and given as much as we can to charity, but mainly I think for 20 years we've been entertaining and trying to do our best for the children of Australia.

"It's been very rewarding for us, it's been an amazing 20 years."

He says Australia Day is about celebrating the diversity of the nation.

"Australia Day is a real celebration of what makes up Australia, we're such a multicultural country, and more and more as years go on we're acknowledging our Indigenous history and that's fantastic," he said.

"I just think as the years go on we get better and better, we're a very relaxed country, and a very tolerant country, which is wonderful."

Starting out as a university project, the band, made up of members of the 1980s Australian music scene, quickly gained a local following before attracting the attention of overseas audiences.

Instantly recognisable by their colourful skivvies, their catchy tunes and educational focus have earnt them a legion of loyal fans made up of both kids and parents.

The Wiggles have released more than 30 CDs, 27 videos and DVDs and 30 book titles. Their CDs have won 17 gold, 12 platinum, 3 double-platinum and 10 multi-platinum awards.

But The Wiggles say the Order of Australia is their biggest recognition yet.